Portable currency bag

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to portable banking apparatus, more specifically to a portable currency bag. The present invention overcomes the problems of garners losing winnings by providing a portable currency bag which allows the winnings to be placed inside and having a locking device to prevent immediate entry by the player.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for storing currency that is not readily retrievable by the carrier. More specifically, to a purse or bag which has an opening allowing currency to be inserted, while not allowing it to be retrieved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Patrons of gaming houses have always considered winning a privilege. One of the keys to being successful is deciding when to stop playing. Most often a player who has won will continue to gamble in anticipation of winning more. Eventually, they will either win or lose not only the previous winnings but also all of or most of the money they came with.

[0003] Some people have methods to help avoid this dilemma. One such method is the pocket method. This requires that the player place all winnings in one pocket, while only wagering money from another. Once the wagering pocket is empty then the player takes his winnings and goes home. The phallacy of this method is that most players get caught in the frenzy of gaming and begins to skim from the winning pocket until all funds are exhausted. Another variation of this method is to give your winnings to a friend for safekeeping. The problem with this is that most often either the friend skims the winnings or the player returns and encourages the friend to provide them with more money.

[0004] What is needed is a means to safe keep a players winnings, while denying or delaying the release of the winnings to the player. The present invention overcomes the problems as recited above by providing a portable currency bag which allows the winnings to be placed inside and having a locking device to prevent immediate entry by the player.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention overcomes the problems of the previous methods by providing a portable locking currency bag which is small, durable, and light weight. The currency bag has an opening at one end to allow the winnings to be inside, and a locking system at the other preventing the player from immediately removing the winnings. It is contemplated that the currency bag may either be worn around the waist or as a shoulder bag.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a currency bag.

[0007] It is another object of the invention to provide a currency bag having a locking system that prevents immediate removal of winnings.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide currency bag acceptable for use at gaming establishments that allows the deposit of currency.

[0009] An object of the invention is to provide currency bag that can be worn around the waist.

[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus which has a timed delay locking system.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description in which the preferred embodiments have been set forth in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention reference will be made to the series of figures and drawings briefly described below.

[0013]FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 2 shows a detail of the opening of the invention.

[0015]FIG. 3 shows a detail of the invention.

[0016]FIG. 4 shows a detail of the timer lock.

[0017]FIG. 5 shows a detail of the combination lock.

[0018]FIG. 6 shows a detail of the screwed connection.

[0019]FIG. 7 shows a detail of the key lock.

[0020]FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 9 shows a detail of the opening.

[0022]FIG. 10 shows the tumble mechanism in the container.

[0023]FIG. 11 shows the tumble mechanism.

[0024]FIG. 12 shows the spring assembly of the tumble mechanism.

[0025]FIG. 13 another embodiment of the invention.

[0026]FIG. 14 shows the rear of the invention.

[0027]FIG. 15 shows a detail of the locking connection.

[0028] There may be additional structures described in the foregoing application that are not depicted on one of the described drawings. In the event such a structure is described but not depicted in a drawing, the absence of such a drawing should not be considered as an omission of such design from the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] In the following description, the present invention will be described in this embodiment as a process for producing shellfish meal. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the equivalent of such process and its applicability for all crustaceans.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 thru 7, the portable currency bag (1) is shown having an upper portion (2) made of a hard polymer, metal, plastic, or resin. An opening (3) allows currency to be deposited within the bag (1). The upper portion (2) is connected to a container (4). The container (4) is connected to the upper portion (2) by either glue/epoxy, or stitching. The container (4) has an opening at one end (5) that has a locking mechanism (6). This locking mechanism (6) can be either a standard key or combination lock. Additionally, the locking mechanism (6) can be either a time delay locking mechanism (6 a), keyed lock (6 b), screwed connection (6 c), or combination lock (6 d).

[0031] In the preferred embodiment, FIGS. 8 and 9 the portable currency bag (8) has an upper portion (9), with an opening (10) to allow currency to be inserted. FIG. 10 shows the tumble mechanism (11) is a half moon shaped tray (12) that catches the currency. The tumble mechanism (11) also prevents the user from removing the currency once it is deposited. The bottom of the container portion has an opening (15), which is closed with a locking mechanism (16).

[0032] In FIGS. 10-12 a cutaway of the bag shows the tumble mechanism 11 having a an arm 13 with a spring assembly (17). The spring assembly (17) includes an arm (18) engaged with a spring 19 against a backstop (20). In operation, the user places the currency in the opening (10) and turns the lever (13) loading the spring while depositing the currency into the container (14). Upon release the half moon tray (12) returns to position and thus prevents the currency from being removed. To deter entry and vandalism the container portion is made of either tear resistant canvas or leather. The portable currency bag can be worn as either a shoulder bag (FIG. 14), or as a fanny pack (FIG. 15). A detachable shoulder strap (21) is connected by ring (22), or fanny belt (26) can be attached to the fanny belt by slide connector (27). In this embodiment, the bag (30) is connected to the fanny belt (26) by inserting the connector stem into the opening (29) in the rear of the currency bag (30). The user then slides the bag down locking into place.

[0033] Further modification and variation can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the subject and spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims. Such modifications and variations, as included within the scope of these claims, are to be considered part of the invention as described. PARTS LIST  1. Portable Currency Bag  2. Upper Portion  3. Opening  4. Container  5. Container End Opening  6. Locking Mechanism  8. Portable Currency Bag  9. Upper Portion 10. Opening 11. Tumble Mechanism 12. Half Moon Shaped Tray 13. Spring Loaded Lever 14. Container Portion 15. Container Portion Opening 16. Locking Mechanism 17. Spring Assembly 19. Spring 20. Back Stop 21. Shoulder Strap 22. Connector Ring 23. Container 24. Opening 25. Locking Mechanism 26. Fanny belt 27. Connector assembly 28. Connector Stem 29. Currency Bag opening 30. Currency Bag 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for the storage of currency comprising: an upper portion connected to a container at one end; said container having a locking mechanism at its other end; and said upper portion having an opening which allows currency to be deposited.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said container includes means for attaching said container to a belt.
 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 whereby said container further comprises a currency tray deposed within said container, wherein as currency is deposited within said currency tray catches the currency before it lands at the bottom of said container.
 4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 whereby said currency tray has a spring release, which upon activation rotates the currency tray allowing any currency to drop into said container.
 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism is a timed device.
 6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism is a timed device.
 7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism is a combination lock.
 8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism is a keyed lock.
 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said means for attaching comprises a slide connector attached to said fanny belt, said slide connector includes a protruding stem, said currency container is adapted to receive said stem whereby said currency container is locked into place.
 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said currency container has two receiving rings attached allowing a shoulder strap to be attached 